Avery Pruitt
Salisbury,MD
Summary
Results-oriented team player with a continuous improvement mindset and a continuous willingness to learn and develop new skills aligning with business needs. Highly skilled in problem-solving, process improvement, and machinery operation. Strong strategic leadership skills with a focus in project management and long-term planning. Highly efficient and effective communicator, ensuring mission-critical information and concerns are escalated to relevant personnel in a time manner. Experience in Packaging, Warehouse, Central Services, Material Handling, Cocci, and Egg Incubation, providing a comprehensive understanding of various business procedures and how to collaborate effectively.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Technician
Merck
06.2022 - Current
- Led several Reliance tasks utilizing change control and investigator training to revise and implement MDs and SOPs, aligning efforts with site-wide A3 goals for vial defect reduction in DHPPi.
- Applied MPS problem-solving techniques to reduce SAV capping changeover times by 11.67%, resulting in enhanced operational runtime availability.
- Utilized MPS problem solving skills to resolve vial handling issues with the SAV capping loading table, achieving a 97.8% reduction in fallen vials (from 455 to just 10 per serial of 50,000 vials), enabling the packaging team to exceed production targets.
- Developed progress and status trackers for work orders, departmental training initiatives, and recurring operational challenges, improving senior leadership's visibility into real-time updates and performance metrics.
- Led and trained a team of 16 technicians on DHPPi visual inspection and hand vacuum checking under a tight deadline. Developed and managed an Excel-based tracking system to monitor training progress, identify gaps, and schedule future sessions, driving efficient team performance and defect identification accuracy ensuring alignment with site-wide A3 goals and objectives.
- Implemented and sustained Kanban and 5S methodologies within the Packaging department, minimizing material waste and preventing production downtime.
- Acted as an SME for daily operations of labelers and cappers, ensuring schedule adherence to meet delivery demand.
- Qualified USDA sampler with a strong understanding of regulatory guidelines and standards.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams (BTS, LYO, Engineering, Maintenance) to achieve DHPPi defect reduction goals and resolve challenges related to the Aesus Poultry Labeling line.
- Partnered with EHS as a key member of the Safety Improvement Team (SIT), fostering a strong safety culture and aligning initiatives to target-zero goals.
Team Leader
Chick-fil-A
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Led and supervised a team of 15-20 employees in daily operations, upholding high standards for guest experiences and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to monitor and analyze key business metrics, adjusting staffing levels to optimize demand and prevent over/understaffing.
- Identified and implemented strategies to optimize food cost management, resulting in significant cost savings while maintaining product quality.
- Developed and enforced operational guidelines, driving efficiency and productivity to consistently exceed company objectives.
Education
Business Administration -
University of Maryland Global Campus
College Park, MD06.2027
High School Diploma -
Greenfield-Central High School
Greenfield, IN2019
Skills
IReliance Skills
- Change Management
- Lead Investigator
- MD & SOP Revisions
MPS Skills
- Operational Availability (OA)
- On-Point Problem Solving (OPPS)
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- 5S Champion (Daily Walks & Monthly Radar)
Safety Background
- Safety Improvement Team Member (2yrs)
- Safe-by-Choice Team Member (2yrds)
- Millsboro Connection Safety Communications
- GEMBA Walks
Operational Skills
- Ariba (Supply Ordering)
- Process Confirmation Checks
- Aera Analysis
- Excel (Data Visualization)
- DigiTier Access
- Strong GMP Knowledge
- USDA Sampler
Soft Skills
- Effective Communicator
- Influential Leader
- High Adaptability
- Problem Solver
- Team Player
High-Impact Achievements
- Identified vials probed from lyophilization process while completing capping process, escalated immediately and ensuring the highest quality products were delivered to our customers
- Successfully trained the packaging team on the DHPPi visual inspection and vacuum checking process with a tight deadline Aligned training with the A3 initiative of decreasing defects in DHPPi visual inspection process, collaborating with BTS and LYO to ensure updated training was conducive with site-wide goals
- Implemented and maintained 5S and Kanban methodologies in the packing department, preventing daily operations from being halted due to a lack of materials or inability to locate materials successfully
- Consistently met Operational Availability targets as an SME during the SAV capping process, exceeding daily expected production metrics leading to departmental schedule flexibility and overall schedule adherence
- Created 30 PowerPoint slides shared through Millsboro Connection relating to current safety topics as a member of the Safety Improvement Team (SIT), aligning with EHS to work towards our shared goal of Target-Zero
- Collaborated with the Merck 3D printing team to create solutions to recurring challenges faced in the Packaging department (Vista tray partitions and SAV capper material catch-tray)
Timeline
Operations Technician
Merck
06.2022 - Current
Team Leader
Chick-fil-A
03.2021 - 06.2022
Business Administration -
University of Maryland Global Campus
High School Diploma -
Greenfield-Central High School
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